Banner frame with anchor stakes

ABSTRACT

A banner frame mounted on two or more anchor stakes or spikes. The anchor stakes are configured to provide a natural anchor once driven into the ground, thereby preventing the typical leaning, bending or bowing of the posts that leads to sagging of the banner. A single anchor stake or spike may also be to support a single post for applications where a single post is needed.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/786,777, filed Oct. 18, 2017, which claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/409,401 filed Oct. 18, 2016, by Britt P. Hunt, et al., and is entitled to the benefit of those filing dates. The complete disclosures, appendices, specifications, and figures of U.S. Provisional Application 62/409,401 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/786,777 are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a system and apparatus for installing and anchoring a banner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Banners, such as, but not limited to, yard banners, typically are suspended between two posts. This arrangement leads to banners sagging over time, due to unstable, flimsy posts, improper attachment of the banner to the posts, or combinations thereof. Accordingly, what is needed is a system for displaying banners that eliminates sagging of the banner over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present system comprises a banner frame mounted on two or more anchor stakes or spikes. The anchor stakes are configured to provide a natural anchor once driven into the ground, thereby preventing the typical leaning, bending or bowing of the posts that leads to sagging of the banner. A single anchor stake or spike may also be used to support a single post for applications where a single post is needed.

In several embodiments, the anchor stake comprises an upper end and a lower end. The upper end comprises a post to which a banner frame or banner may be attached or mounted. The lower end comprises a plurality of flanges that extend from the stake at angles. The flanges may be evenly spaced every 90-degrees around the stake, although the relative positioning and angles may differ.

The flanges may be of any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the lower part of each flange angles upward and outward from the point of origination, thereby providing an angled edge for assisting in insertion into the ground. In one exemplary embodiment, each flange may comprise one or more holes or cut-outs that are designed to resist the anchor stake from being pulled out of the ground (such as by earth extending into and through the holes or cut-outs). The holes or cut-outs can be circular, oval, triangular, rectilinear, another shape, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the face of each flange comprises a plurality of directionally-biased upward facing extensions, triangles, or points that are designed to resist the anchor stake from being pulled out of the ground. The extensions, triangles or points may appear on one or both sides of a flange face, on the upper or lower part of the flange (or both), and on some or all of the flanges.

The anchor stake flanges can be positioned at any angle with respect to the plane formed by the banner frame or banner when mounted on the anchor stakes or banner frame. In several embodiments, the anchor stake flanges are designed to be positioned, when the stake is inserted into the ground, at a specific angle to said plane. In one exemplary embodiment, the flanges are set at 45-degree angles with respect to this plane, thereby providing resistance to movement of the anchor stake along the most common force vectors (i.e., perpendicular to the plane, such as from a strong wind blowing on the banner, or parallel to the plane, such as from the weight of the banner pulling inward). This orientation is established by the placement of the banner mounting holes or connection points in the upper part of the anchor stake and banner frame. The enhanced stability of the anchor stakes and banner frame helps to prevent sagging of the banner over time.

In one exemplary embodiment, some or all of the flanges extend all the way to the tip of the lower end of the anchor stake. This enhances stability at the soil surface by minimizing the amount of displaced or disturbed earth when the anchor stake is initially inserted and driven into the ground.

The upper end of the anchor stake comprises a post. The post may be circular, square, rectilinear, or polygonal in cross-section. In one exemplary embodiment, the post extends sufficiently high above the ground surface so that the banner can be attached directly thereto. One or more horizontal cross-pieces may extend between posts for additional lateral stability.

In another exemplary embodiment, the post serves as a mount for an end of a banner frame. The banner frame may be of multi-part or unitary construction, and its component parts may be circular, square, rectilinear, or polygonal in cross-section. In one exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises a multi-part banner frame, with two support rods (i.e., left and right) and a three-part horizontal top section (with 90-degree angled connection ends adapted to connect to the top of the corresponding support rods). The support rods are mounted on the anchor stake posts, and secured thereto by bolts or the similar fasteners. The horizontal top section is mounted on the support rods, and similarly secured there by bolts or similar fasteners. The support rods or top section may further comprise a series of holes therethrough, generally in the plane of the assembled banner frame, for mounting of frame connectors, such as eyebolts. Eyebolts or similar frame connection points also may be used in place of some or all of the bolts or similar fasteners securing the support rods to the horizontal top section or to the anchor stake posts. Similar connection points also would be used in the embodiment where the banner is directly attached to the anchor stake posts. Alternatively, connection points may be integral parts of the support rods or other components.

After the banner frame is secured in place, the banner is attached or mounted thereto. The banner may be connected to the connection points on the posts or banner frame by any suitable means, including, but not limited to, hooked, cords, bands, bungee cords, or the like. In one embodiment, the present invention uses springs, thereby allowing for more subtle, controlled movement of the banner, and thereby maintaining tension to prevent banner sagging. In one exemplary embodiment, the banner is connected to appropriate connection points at each corner of the banner, and the middle of the top of the banner also may be connected to the horizontal top section or support of the frame by use of a spring, hook, or similar suitable means as described above.

The above apparatus may be of any suitable size or dimension, may be of any color or natural finish, and its components made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, metal, composite, wood, plastic, or combinations thereof. In several embodiment, the size of the banner frame may be adjustable, such as by removing or adding pieces to the horizontal top section or support rods, or by using different lengths of springs or other connection means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a view of a frame in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view of an exemplary anchor stake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In various exemplary embodiments, the present system comprises a banner frame 10 mounted on two or more anchor stakes or spikes 20. The anchor stakes are configured to provide a natural anchor once driven into the ground, thereby preventing the typical leaning, bending or bowing of the posts that leads to sagging of the banner. A single anchor stake or spike may also be used to support a single post for applications where a single post is needed.

In one exemplary embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2, the anchor stake comprises an upper end and a lower end. The upper end comprises a post 22 to which a banner frame or banner may be attached or mounted. The lower end 24 comprises a plurality of flanges 26. Four flanges are shown in the figure, although the number of flanges can vary. The flanges extend from the stake at angles. While the flanges are shown at being evenly spaced every 90-degrees around the stake, the relative positioning and angles may differ.

The flanges may be of any suitable shape. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the lower part of each flange angles upward and outward from the point of origination, thereby providing an angled edge for assisting in insertion into the ground. In one exemplary embodiment, each flange may comprise one or more holes or cut-outs 28 that are designed to resist the anchor stake from being pulled out of the ground (such as by earth extending into and through the holes or cut-outs). The holes or cut-outs can be circular, oval, triangular, rectilinear, another shape, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the face of each flange comprises a plurality of directionally-biased upward facing extensions, triangles, or points 28, that are designed to resist the anchor stake from being pulled out of the ground. The extensions, triangles or points may appear on one or both sides of a flange face, on the upper or lower part of the flange (or both), and on some or all of the flanges.

The anchor stake flanges can be positioned at any angle with respect to the plane formed by the banner frame or banner when mounted on the anchor stakes or banner frame. In several embodiments, the anchor stake flanges are designed to be positioned, when the stake is inserted into the ground, at a specific angle to said plane. In one exemplary embodiment, the flanges are set at 45-degree angles with respect to this plane, thereby providing resistance to movement of the anchor stake along the most common force vectors (i.e., perpendicular to the plane, such as from a strong wind blowing on the banner, or parallel to the plane, such as from the weight of the banner pulling inward). This orientation is established by the placement of the banner mounting holes or connection points in the upper part of the anchor stake and banner frame (as described below). The enhanced stability of the anchor stakes and banner frame helps to prevent sagging of the banner over time.

In one exemplary embodiment, some or all of the flanges extend all the way to the tip of the lower end of the anchor stake. This enhances stability at the soil surface by minimizing the amount of displaced or disturbed earth when the anchor stake is initially inserted and driven into the ground.

The upper end of the anchor stake comprises a post 22. The post may be circular, square, rectilinear, or polygonal in cross-section. In one exemplary embodiment, the post extends sufficiently high above the ground surface so that the banner can be attached directly thereto. One or more horizontal cross-pieces may extend between posts for additional lateral stability.

In another exemplary embodiment, the post serves as a mount for an end of a banner frame. The banner frame may be of multi-part or unitary construction, and its component parts may be circular, square, rectilinear, or polygonal in cross-section. FIG. 1 shows a multi-part banner frame, with two support rods 30 (i.e., left and right) and a three-part horizontal top section 32 (with 90-degree angled connection ends 34 adapted to connect to the top of the corresponding support rods). The support rods are mounted on the anchor stake posts, and secured thereto by bolts or the similar fasteners. The horizontal top section is mounted on the support rods, and similarly secured there by bolts or similar fasteners. The support rods or top section may further comprise a series of holes therethrough, generally in the plane of the assembled banner frame, for mounting of frame connectors 40, such as eyebolts. Eyebolts or similar frame connection points also may be used in place of some or all of the bolts or similar fasteners securing the support rods to the horizontal top section or to the anchor stake posts. Similar connection points also would be used in the embodiment where the banner is directly attached to the anchor stake posts. Alternatively, connection points may be integral parts of the support rods or other components.

After the banner frame is secured in place, the banner is attached or mounted thereto. The banner may be connected to the connection points 40 on the posts or banner frame by any suitable means, including, but not limited to, hooked, cords, bands, bungee cords, or the like. In one embodiment, the present invention uses springs, thereby allowing for more subtle, controlled movement of the banner, and thereby maintaining tension to prevent banner sagging. In one exemplary embodiment, the banner is connected to appropriate connection points at each corner of the banner, and the middle of the top of the banner also may be connected to the horizontal top section or support of the frame by use of a spring, hook, or similar suitable means as described above.

The above apparatus may be of any suitable size or dimension, may be of any color or natural finish, and its components made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, metal, composite, wood, plastic, or combinations thereof. In several embodiment, the size of the banner frame may be adjustable, such as by removing or adding pieces to the horizontal top section or support rods, or by using different lengths of springs or other connection means.

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A banner frame, comprising: a pair of vertical supports, each with a top end and a bottom end; a horizontal support extending between said pair of vertical supports; and an anchor stake disposed at the bottom end of each of said pair of vertical supports, said anchor stake comprising two or more outward-extending flanges, at least one of said flanges comprising a first section with a first width, a second section with a second width adjacent the first section, and a third section with a third width adjacent the second section.
 2. The banner frame of claim 1, wherein at least one of said flanges further comprises a fourth section with a fourth width adjacent the third section.
 3. The banner frame of claim 1, wherein the first width and third width are constant but not the same.
 4. The banner frame of claim 3, wherein the second width varies in width between the first width and third width.
 5. The banner frame of claim 2, wherein the fourth width varies.
 6. The banner frame of claim 1, further wherein at least one of said flanges comprises removal resistant means.
 7. The banner frame of claim 6, wherein said removal resistant means comprises one or more holes or cut-outs extending through the flange.
 8. The banner frame of claim 6, wherein said removal resistance means comprises one or more directionally-biased extensions or points on a face or multiple faces of the flange.
 9. The banner frame of claim 8, wherein the directional-biased extensions or points extend upwards away from the lower end of the anchor stake.
 10. The banner frame of claim 1, wherein said anchor stakes each comprise an upper end with a mounting post and a lower end with a tip.
 11. The banner frame of claim 10, wherein each vertical support is mounted on the mounting post of the respective anchor stake.
 12. The banner frame of claim 1, wherein there are at least four flanges on each anchor stake.
 13. An anchor stake, comprising: a stake with a lower end adapted for insertion into ground, and an upper end extending aboveground; a plurality of flanges extending outwarding from the lower end, each flange comprising a first face and a second face, and at least one flange comprising a first section with a first width, a second section with a second width adjacent the first section, and a third section with a third width adjacent the second section.
 14. The banner frame of claim 13, wherein at least one of said flanges further comprises a fourth section with a fourth width adjacent the third section.
 15. The banner frame of claim 13, wherein the first width and third width are constant but not the same.
 16. The banner frame of claim 15, wherein the second width varies in width between the first width and third width.
 17. The banner frame of claim 14, wherein the fourth width varies.
 18. The banner frame of claim 13, further wherein at least one of said flanges comprises removal resistant means.
 19. The banner frame of claim 18, wherein said removal resistant means comprises one or more holes or cut-outs extending through the flange, or one or more directionally-biased extensions or points on at least one of said faces of the flange.
 20. The banner frame of claim 13, wherein there are four flanges evenly spaced. 